Trump’s 401k Shake-Up: Why Private Equity Spells Trouble for Your Retirement

As a certified financial planner with decades of experience guiding everyday Americans toward secure retirements, I’ve seen how 401(k) plans anchor millions of workers’ financial futures. These employer-sponsored accounts let you save pre-tax dollars and invest in stocks, bonds, or mutual funds for long-term growth towards your future retirement. But a new policy threatens this simple system: the Trump Administration is expected to sign an executive order soon, directing federal regulators to issue guidance on adding private investments—like private equity—to 401(k) portfolios. While this aims to diversify options, for the average 401(k) investor unfamiliar with private equity, it’s a risky move. Read More

Retirement in a World of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

More Americans than ever are living longer lives. But with longer life comes a higher risk of neurological diseases—especially Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. These conditions not only affect memory and movement, but they also come with long-term care needs that can drain both your finances and your quality of life. Read More

Medicare and Income; Be Careful Taking that IRA Distribution

When people retire, they often wonder what to do with the money in their 401(k) from their former employer. Be careful about withdrawing all the money at once just because you can. While there’s no tax penalty for withdrawing after age 59 ½, taking a large amount at once can impact your Medicare costs if you’re over 63. Read More

The Declining Financial Security of Retirees in Today’s Economy

In just four years, the financial landscape for retirees has shifted dramatically, placing many in precarious situations. While retirement was once a time to enjoy the fruits of decades of labor, today’s retirees are finding themselves navigating a sea of economic challenges that threaten their financial stability. The rising cost of living, the inflated costs of maintaining home equity, and the volatile stock market are all contributing factors. These challenges make it clear that retirees are worse off today than they were just a few years ago. Read More

Your Return vs. Market Return

Investing in the stock market is like a long adventure where you can earn money over time. But not everyone makes the same return on their money with their investments. Even if the whole market is doing really well, you might find your own money growing a bit slower. Here’s why your own investment return might be different from the big market return:

Read More

Stop Wasting Time, Invest Now

In our fast-paced world, where every moment counts and the future often feels like a distant horizon, there’s a common tendency to procrastinate on making important decisions. One such decision, often pushed aside, is the act of saving for your retirement. We all have our reasons, whether it’s the pressing demands of the present or a belief that tomorrow can wait. But hidden beneath this delay lies a significant, and sometimes surprising, cost that deserves our attention. Read More

Why Rollover Your Employer Retirement Plan Into An IRA

In the world of retirement planning, one of the decisions that people often face is what to do with their employer-sponsored retirement plans when they leave their job. Whether you’re transitioning to a new employer or stepping into retirement, it’s crucial to make informed decisions about your retirement savings. One option that many individuals consider is rolling over their employer retirement plan into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Here, we delve into the reasons behind this popular choice. Read More

Retirement Without Income SUCKS!

In the golden years of life, financial stability is paramount to maintaining your lifestyle and achieving true financial independence. Retirement planning plays a crucial role in securing this comfort, and the key to a successful retirement plan is a reliable, guaranteed income. While growth through investments such as the stock market is essential, they should not be the sole focus. Without a steady stream of income, retirement could be more of a challenge than a reward. Read More

Negative News is the Greatest Challenge for Investors to Overcome

In today’s world, we are inundated with negative news at every turn. From political turmoil to natural disasters to economic uncertainty, it can be difficult to avoid the constant barrage of bad news. For investors, this can be especially challenging. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why living in a world of negative news is the greatest challenge for investors to overcome and what they can do to manage it. Read More